Steering box

DEEZUZ · Jan 30, 2014

Over the past few years I've noticed more and more play. Now the wheel is practically at 3 clock going straight. Been thinking of a red head, anybody know where to get one on here and maybe what else I can do to help steering?

sootie · Jan 30, 2014

find out where your play is coming from first in case its not the steering box.

Redhead mostly sells direct i think.

CSIPSD · Jan 30, 2014

Napa... Lifetime warranty...

But if your wheel its turned like that I would suspect something other then the steering box. Do you have slop or is it just cocked to one side?

DEEZUZ · Jan 30, 2014

There is alot of slop. Maybe 1/4 turn before it actually turns either way

ghohouston · Jan 30, 2014

I realize it is just a bandaid, but have you tried tightening the worm gear to see if it makes a change?

DEEZUZ · Jan 30, 2014

Watch "Steering box woes" on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WT5_4z0tbo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

crowz · Jan 30, 2014

If you do replace go with the redhead box not a napa or whatever.

The redhead box is SO much better than the factory box. Turns easier sitting still too.

Best upgrade I did to my truck in a looong time.

DEEZUZ · Jan 30, 2014

I really do want maximum performance out of it. I do a ton of tight turns in the city and parking lots. Probably what killed this one although it's factory with 180k

co04cobra · Jan 30, 2014

crowz said:
If you do replace go with the redhead box not a napa or whatever.

The redhead box is SO much better than the factory box. Turns easier sitting still too.

Best upgrade I did to my truck in a looong time.

Couldn't agree with this more. Well worth the money. Its been a huge improvement on every truck I have installed one on.

And yes I have installed many other brands, includeing OEM rebuilds.

DEEZUZ · Jan 30, 2014

Anyone watch my video?

FrankTheTank · Jan 31, 2014

Looks to me like the output shaft bearing/bushing is shot. Seen this exact thing happen to my wife's jeep. Also may want to think about upgrading to a newer box, it's a direct bolt in minus a power steering line change depending on which new one you get. The pitman arm will swap right over as they are all the same spline from 99.5 up.

FrankTheTank · Jan 31, 2014

And the reason this would advantage you is the newer boxes have a tighter steering ratio. 99-02? Is 12-1, 03-08 is like 17-1, and 08 and newer are different yet but not sure how. 05-08 boxes have different fitting on the box and will require a new line

DEEZUZ · Jan 31, 2014

Can anyone back up his response?

I love the way 6.4s handle in the steering department

DEEZUZ · Jan 31, 2014

Redhead shows 1997-2009 are the same

Zmann · Jan 31, 2014

I remember the sector shaft changed and while the pitman arm spline and threads may have remained the same as stated the the shaft size was increased in like 05+
not sure what Redhead does and maybe the boxes were interchangeable ?

Zmann · Jan 31, 2014

I would try and take the slop out of the box if thats where it is comming from

my 06 at 22k when i bought it had 3 full turns of adjustment and has been fine since

so my " baindaid has lasted 82,000 miles with 37's

sootie · Jan 31, 2014

i have a good used one out of an 05 if you want it...

DEEZUZ · Jan 31, 2014

I'm good. Thanks

rustbucket · Jan 31, 2014

CTC DEEZUL said:
Watch "Steering box woes" on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WT5_4z0tbo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Is it just me or is your pitman arm rocking back and forth on the shaft. Like the splines are starting to strip.

Dmstrucks02 · Jan 31, 2014

I didn't even try to take up the slack in mine and went straight with a red head box. At 200,000 miles I figured it was a good run. I called them and ordered over the phone and had it in 3 days. Truck feels much better on the road now, it used to pull but its nice and tight.